Where There's Smoke...: Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man, a Memoir [Paperback] Reviewed By Dr. Wesley Britton of Bookpleasures.com

Dr. Wesley Britton

Reviewer Dr. Wesley
Britton: Dr. Britton is the author of four non-fiction books on
espionage in literature and the media. Starting in fall 2015, his new
six-book science fiction series, The Beta-Earth Chronicles, debuted
via BearManor Media. For seven years, he was co-host of online
radio’s Dave White Presents where he contributed interviews with a
host of entertainment insiders. Before his retirement in 2016, Dr.
Britton taught English at Harrisburg Area Community College. Learn
more about Dr. Britton at hisWEBSITE

As the title implies,
William B. Davis is best known as the “cigarette smoking man,” a
secondary character on the television series, The X-Files. Without
question, most readers will pick up this memoir wanting insights into
and behind the scenes stories about the cult classic. Devotees won’t
be disappointed—though they should know in advance it will take 217
pages before Davis dives into his experiences with Scully and Muldar.

That’s because Davis had
a long and distinguished career before taking on the nebulous role of
“CSM.” Starting as a child actor on Canadian radio, much of his
story is set in Toronto and other provinces in theatrical productions
where he spent decades directing and teaching, not acting himself.
The bulk of his book discusses his education in stagecraft in his
home country and England and the numerous plays and local theatres he
helped shape and create. It’s fair to say much of this material is
very hit-and-run with much name-dropping of actors who, for the most
part, are going to be more familiar to Canadian audiences than
elsewhere. In fact, his memoir could serve as a history of Canadian
theatre from the 1950s to the 1990s, from the times there were few
opportunities for Canadian players through the experimental 1960s to
more modern decades where Canadian performers and crews tend to serve
as support for American television and film. Along the
way, in a very lively and engaging style, Davis wryly comments on his
romances and lifestyle. Few other professionals would make so many
career choices based on the quality of local skiing.

Then, we do get some 60
pages on how he took up TV roles mainly to supplement his income and
how a very small part on a series with an uncertain future changed
his life. Yes, he shares his often uncomplimentary thoughts on David
Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. He goes into considerable detail
regarding the interactions of the producers and the storylines that
involved his character. He comments on the phenomena that was The
X-Files and what he learned about the distinctions between being an
actor and a celebrity. On an often very intellectual level, he
recalls how he felt pangs of conscience in the third season when he
feared the show was promoting an unreality he worried was affecting
the audience. Then, abruptly, Davis wraps the story up with
very few pages devoted to what he’s been doing since the series’
finale. Readers will need to make their own speculations as to why.

So, aficionados of The
X-Files will get their monies worth. Those interested in the Canadian
stage will get even more. Beyond these two audiences, anyone
interested in the acting profession can pick up insights and wisdom
from a director who’s worked with some of the best in some of the
most challenging circumstances. It’s
a fast-paced story told with wit and humor, enjoyable for any reader
with an eye for the footlights.